Hockey: Bognor ladies jubilant after beating Chichester

Action from the University of Chichester's clash with Horsham Picture by Kate Shemilt C131611-2

Published:14:00Thursday 05 December 2013

This week’s hockey action features wins for Bognor Town Ladies and Chichester’s men’s first XI - among others.

Send your hockey reports to steve.bone@chiobserver.co.uk

Bognor Town Ladies 3 Chichester Priory Park Ladies 2

Bognor were delighted to edge victory over Chichester Priory Park in a tense derby.

The hosts took time to settle, which allowed the swift and skilful Chichester forwards to pressure the Bognor defence and slip in an opener in the first ten minutes. They followed this with a short-corner second.

Gradually, midfield dynamos Charlotte Cox and Tacita Haines gained a grip and Cox caused major consternation with her mazy runs through the Chichester defence, one of which culminated in a reverse-stick shot which beat the keeper and nearly took the roof off the net! The first half ended 2-1.

The half-time team talk from Bognor coach Jerry Cox spurred the team on to greater efforts.

Jackie Okonta, Theresa Cooper, Kim Agate and Helen Arnold stuck to their marking duties with determination. Miriam Clarke was given the task of taking all of Bognor’s free hits in the defensive half and sent many of these down the pitch like an Exocet, which were picked up by the forwards.

A short corner saw a strike from Charlotte Cox whistle into the goal, bringing it to 2-2. Debbie Cox, Sue Perry and Sara Coulson tackled strongly, released long balls up to forwards June Rogers and Karen Harmer.

Both forwards managed to test the Chichester keeper frequently.

Capitalising on the excellent stick skills from Haines, a second short corner was awarded to Bognor. Captain June Rogers received the ball but her first shot was saved. However, her follow-up shot beat the keeper and zipped into the goal, putting Bognor in the lead for the first time.

Bognor battened down the hatches and absorbed everything Chichester threw at them. Bognor keeper Alina Hlynianski pulled off a string of amazing saves and marshalled the defence with bellicose authority.

THE return of four ex-Chichester players brought a happy outcome for the current crop of talent.

The opening ten minutes was slow and tentative before Chichester took control and started to dominate the midfield with Alex Thakore, Matt Cox and Jack Lerwill passing through the channels.

Chichester took the lead when Ben Woodruff picked up the ball wide on the right, drove into the D and slipped the ball to Lerwill, who flicked it into the top corner.

Chichester made it two with a fantastic team goal. Kieran Henn won it at the back and fed Cox, who slipped the ball to Bejay Ranger, who then passed down the line to Robinson who fired a pass to the back post for Ollie Baxter to tap in for his 12th of the season.

After the break Woodruff interchanged well with Tom Phillips down the right, creating space for Baxter to pick up the ball in the D and pass to Robinson for another back post tap-in.

Chichester made it four when Andrew Sparshott beat four players with a trademark run. His pass to Robinson ended with Baxter’s goalbound shot hitting an OGs defender on the line for Chichester to be awarded a penalty flick. Matt Cox calmly slotted the flick home.

Chichester conceded a late penalty corner but they were happy with a convincing 4-1 win.

They will look to keep the pressure on league leaders Spencer on Saturday with a trip to Oxford University.

Chichester PP II 6 Centurions 1

Ladies’ Sussex League division one

Chichester, who had bounced back after a string of poor results, were up for the challenge of Centurions.

Chi started slowly, enabling Centurions to score when Claire Mealing scooped the ball into the net from a short corner.

Chichester gathered themselves and applied more pressure to the visitors’ defence. This allowed Jessop to score her first.

Centurions had chances but Chi took advantage of some excellent play to earn a penalty corner, brilliantly scored by Sarah Pack.

Chichester’s two Mels - Howarth and Reeves - coped admirably at the back. The ball was passed time and time again by Austin and Greenway up to the waiting forwards and Sarah Jessop got her second.

The home side became more dominant and it wasn’t long before Jessop got her third, a super strike from a well worked penalty corner which involved Tina Keartland, the captain.

Jessop soon got her fourth, set up by Greenway. The final goal was scored by an impressive Jenna Greenway to cap a great team performance.

It meant a disappointing end for Centurions to a match that showcased some of the best hockey they have played this season.

Chichester continued their winning streak to sit top of the league with 23 points.

A sneaky short corner from Southwick saw them slip the ball behind the defensive line to take an early lead. Chichester fought back quickly and brought the scores level with a superb goal from a short corner by Abi Darke.

Chichester controlled possession and Emma Bain scored one goal after a textbook pass from Teresa Willway and then another after linking with newbie Laura Hodder.

The second half saw Southwick fight back with eagerness, making it 3-2. Chichester right-back Emma Tyler battled to play in Demelza Peake, who set up Bain to complete her hat-trick.

Another Southwick goal made it 4-3 but Chichester responded with Darke becoming the day’s second hat-trick scorer. Bain and Emma Tyler were players of the match.